Time Waster
Veteran
Currently got a 10 - 15 minute ride from the station to work and back at the end of the day. Rainy part of the world. Work kit but not change of clothes other than spare socks, waterproof trousers and spare layer in case it is cold (winter only). Laptop, cables, notebook, pens,2 insulated coffee mugs, etc. Usual work kit plus cable bike lock and lights when off the bike. This is only two days a week at the moment.
I use a 30litre Alpkit gourdon roll top rucksack and I have no issue with the rucksack carrying style for commutes, indeed it works well to keep the rain off your back a bit better. My issue is there is no external, easy ot access storage for my bike lock. Unrolling, feeling aroudn for the lock then rerolling it closed is such a faff when you are in a rush. That is why I like a courier style bag for front block with internal frame bag from Vincita for BF deal at £90 right now. Only 25 litre but is that a large or small 25 litre compared to the 30 litres I have now?
What are the advantages of a bike bag like this one? The borough roll top is bigger by 3L but roll tops are slower to access and close than two clips and a lid. The wide and low courier style gives a bigger opening to see contents. There are pockets under lid with zips that could take lock or on the back there is an open top bottle pocket and a zipped pocket for the lock perhaps.
The other question is locking a folding bike. Work has a double layer rack where the top layer pulls out and slides down at an angle to take your bike. Loads spare so I currently fold my brommie and cable lock through everything (small triangle, both wheels, seat frame and rack loops of the bike stand. This is a faff but I feel it is more secure as it is too much hassle for me so a thief might just go for one of the other bikes which are all unlocked. I am thinking of leaving it unfolded actually in the rack and only cabbling the small triangle to the stand loops used for locking to. It is in a secure yard with swipe card access and big guys watching everyone like hawks!! How would you lock the brommie in my situation?
So basically bike bag advice and a quick brommie lock up question at the end.
PS can't take the Brommie inside the building. There is a swipe card turnstile to get into the building, that was after the swipe card to get into the large yard gates in the first place. I just would not get it through even if I was allowed to take it inside.
I use a 30litre Alpkit gourdon roll top rucksack and I have no issue with the rucksack carrying style for commutes, indeed it works well to keep the rain off your back a bit better. My issue is there is no external, easy ot access storage for my bike lock. Unrolling, feeling aroudn for the lock then rerolling it closed is such a faff when you are in a rush. That is why I like a courier style bag for front block with internal frame bag from Vincita for BF deal at £90 right now. Only 25 litre but is that a large or small 25 litre compared to the 30 litres I have now?
What are the advantages of a bike bag like this one? The borough roll top is bigger by 3L but roll tops are slower to access and close than two clips and a lid. The wide and low courier style gives a bigger opening to see contents. There are pockets under lid with zips that could take lock or on the back there is an open top bottle pocket and a zipped pocket for the lock perhaps.
The other question is locking a folding bike. Work has a double layer rack where the top layer pulls out and slides down at an angle to take your bike. Loads spare so I currently fold my brommie and cable lock through everything (small triangle, both wheels, seat frame and rack loops of the bike stand. This is a faff but I feel it is more secure as it is too much hassle for me so a thief might just go for one of the other bikes which are all unlocked. I am thinking of leaving it unfolded actually in the rack and only cabbling the small triangle to the stand loops used for locking to. It is in a secure yard with swipe card access and big guys watching everyone like hawks!! How would you lock the brommie in my situation?
So basically bike bag advice and a quick brommie lock up question at the end.
PS can't take the Brommie inside the building. There is a swipe card turnstile to get into the building, that was after the swipe card to get into the large yard gates in the first place. I just would not get it through even if I was allowed to take it inside.
